Remarks by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal at the Government session

Distinguished colleagues, fellow Ukrainians!

We start our regular meeting of the Government.

Ukraine's European course means not only the prospect of EU membership, but also tangible and practical results right now.

Among them are the so-called "visa-free regimes": in the energy, customs, transport, and trade sectors. These are opportunities that help our economy to survive and grow stronger.

Hence, yesterday the EU Council extended the "trade visa-free regime" for one more year. For the next 12 months, the duty-free trade regime with the European Union will be in effect, thus making mutual trade more stable and predictable.

We are also looking forward to the extension of the 'transport visa-free regime'. And we look forward to the signing of the ACAA agreement, which will remove barriers for exporters of our industrial goods

Another aspect of our cooperation with the EU is the Ukraine Facility.

The Council of the European Union has today approved the Plan developed by the Ukrainian Government, which paves the way for the activation of all options of the programme.

With the approval of the Plan, Ukraine will receive almost EUR 1.9 billion in funding this month.

In total, this year we expect to receive EUR 16 billion under the Ukraine Facility. And the total amount of support under this programme will be EUR 50 billion for the upcoming 4 years.

***

The Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform plays a key role in attracting financial resources from partners.

We are using this platform with maximum efficiency.

Today we adopt a decision to establish a Council for the Coordination of Activities of Central Executive Authorities to facilitate our participation in the Platform. Moreover, a corresponding Expert Council will be set up.

These novelties will allow the Government to effectively coordinate its efforts, implement all planned reforms and receive support from our partners.

Another decision on the agenda that relates to the effectiveness of governance is to streamline the public investment sector.

It is critical to have a clear view of how much, where and why the state invests and what it expects to achieve

Therefore, we set up the Strategic Investment Council, an advisory body to the Government. Its objectives are to form a single project portfolio of public investments, increase their efficiency, and develop proposals for improving the legislation.

***

The restoration and reconstruction of the energy sector is our focus.

The situation is incredibly difficult. Having lost 8 GW of capacity, we are now forced to cover the deficit through imports and emergency assistance from Western partners.

We are working to minimise the risks before the start of the next heating season.

Repairs will go on alongside the development of decentralised generation.

Today we endorse a resolution that simplifies the placement of gas piston and gas turbine facilities and connected networks.

We eliminate a number of bureaucratic procedures to speed up the process.

We also count on the continued active support of our energy sector partners.

In April-May we received over 600 tonnes of humanitarian aid to support energy security. This includes generators, transformers, cables, insulators and much more.

I thank the United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Poland, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Latvia, Norway and other countries for this assistance.

Apart from that, a number of partners, including the United Kingdom, Japan, Denmark, Germany, and Belgium, have announced new energy assistance packages. We appreciate your solidarity!

***

I extend my gratitude to everyone who makes Ukraine stronger.

Together we will withstand, win and rebuild.

Thank you for your attention! Glory to Ukraine!